The acute effect of static or dynamic stretching exercises on speed and flexibility of soccer players

Abstract

Introduction: The main aim of the present study was to examine the acute effect of static and dynamic stretching during the warm-up on running speed of amateur soccer players. A secondary aim was to determine the effect of stretching on the flexibility of the lower extremities. Methods: Twenty-two players participated in this study. Participants performed two experimental protocols on two different days in random order. The first protocol consisted of 10 minutes jogging and 5 minutes static stretching, while the second protocol consisted of 10 minutes jogging and 5 minutes dynamic (ballistic) stretching. Stretches were held for 10 seconds and were repeated twice. The athletes performed the flexibility and running tests of 20 meters, before and after the stretching protocols. Results: After the statistical analysis observed that static stretching protocol significantly reduces the running speed capacity of soccer players (p < 0.001) and dynamic stretching protocol significantly improves the running speed capacity of the soccer players (p < 0.01). On the other hand, both stretching protocols induced significant increases (p < 0.001) in the joint flexibility of lower extremities of soccer players. Conclusion: The findings show that running speed capacity is affected by the type of stretching that comes before.